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Would not shift into Park and could only start in neutral

Tiny
GARBAGEMAN221
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 FORD E-SERIES VAN
  • 6.8L
  • V10
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 144,000 MILES
Checked the usual suspects the bolts holding the shift tube to the shift linkage arm. They were right so I replaced the shift tube bushings that weren't really that bad. Still no fix. At the neutral safety switch I notice the cable isn't pushing the linkage arm on the trans all the way forward but the cable doesn't look in bad shape. Could it be stretched?
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Sunday, August 9th, 2020 AT 12:09 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

I would suspect the cable, yes.

I attached the points of interest under the column and on the transmission.

I would see if the transmission goes into park without the cable attached.

Roy
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Sunday, August 9th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM
Tiny
GARBAGEMAN221
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  • 5 POSTS
It does and if I pull the linkage to where Park is and hold it the truck van will start. So in going to slave the cable and neutral safety switch. We'll see.
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Sunday, August 9th, 2020 AT 1:14 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Keep me updated.

Roy
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Sunday, August 9th, 2020 AT 1:19 PM
Tiny
GARBAGEMAN221
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I will I just removed the cable put the trans in neutral by hand. I centered the safety switch and it will start in park and neutral but if I have my son shift it to park reattach the cable and he shifts to neutral them back to park the cable will not push it to the right position. So in only replacing the cable I hope this solves it. I can't complain it was an exchange for work on another van for my friends church.I have more labor into it (exhaust manifold studs, brake booster and master cylinder, alternator, and one brake caliper) than parts. Beauty of it is it runs great I just want to flip it.
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Sunday, August 9th, 2020 AT 1:44 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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I agree. I would replace the cable.

Roy
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Sunday, August 9th, 2020 AT 1:49 PM
Tiny
GARBAGEMAN221
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Cable for that year not an easy find but I think I found one.
Craig
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Sunday, August 9th, 2020 AT 3:17 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Good. Keep me updated.

Roy
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+1
Sunday, August 9th, 2020 AT 3:23 PM
Tiny
GARBAGEMAN221
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Well, that was the fix. Part was an exact match genuine hencho en Mexico Ford part. Oddly the old one out of the van didn't seem to have any issues. It moved freely and didn't seem to have any spongy feel to it like it did in the van. Now on to shift tube bushings on my 1999 f350. After fixing the van I really noticed the truck driving it this week. Hopefully I don't cause a cable issue with it. Thanks for you guidance.
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 2:29 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Saturday, August 15th, 2020 AT 3:42 PM

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